Morgan Ensberg | Third Baseman

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Ensberg had been expecting an assignment to Triple-A and will try to find a minor league deal elsewhere, but at best he'd be a mediocre bench player at this point. Mon, Mar 30, 2009 10:55:00 AM

Rays signed infielder Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Ensberg was underrated for a long time, but is now 33 years old and coming off a season spent hitting .189 in 52 games at Triple-A and .203 in 28 games with the Yankees. He's a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster. Tue, Feb 10, 2009 09:30:00 AM

The Rays have reportedly signed Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract.

Considering that he wasn't even very good in Triple-A last year, Ensberg wasn't going to find a team that would give him a realistic chance of winning a job out of spring training. It'd take an injury to Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria or Willy Aybar to give him any opportunity to claim a spot on the Rays. Mon, Feb 9, 2009 01:59:00 PM

Indians signed INF Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Buffalo.

As we said when he was released by the Yankees a week ago, the 33-year-old has hit just .225/.308/.371 in 143 games dating back to last season. He'll provide organizational depth for a team that could look to start selling pieces soon. Tue, Jun 17, 2008 12:54:00 PM

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Rays signed infielder Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Ensberg was underrated for a long time, but is now 33 years old and coming off a season spent hitting .189 in 52 games at Triple-A and .203 in 28 games with the Yankees. He's a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster.

The Rays have reportedly signed Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract.

Considering that he wasn't even very good in Triple-A last year, Ensberg wasn't going to find a team that would give him a realistic chance of winning a job out of spring training. It'd take an injury to Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria or Willy Aybar to give him any opportunity to claim a spot on the Rays.

Indians signed INF Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Buffalo.

As we said when he was released by the Yankees a week ago, the 33-year-old has hit just .225/.308/.371 in 143 games dating back to last season. He'll provide organizational depth for a team that could look to start selling pieces soon.

Ensberg was designated for assignment last week and the Yankees are eating his $1.75 million salary. Once among the most underrated players in baseball, Ensberg turns 33 years old in August and has hit just .225/.308/.371 in 143 games dating back to last season.

The Yankees called up a reliever to replace Ensberg for now, but that they're making the move suggests they plan to go with three catchers after Jorge Posada returns this week. The Bombers had so few bench at-bats available that there was no way they could try to get Ensberg, Wilson Betemit and Shelley Duncan all out of their early-season slumps. They'll stick with the two younger players, and Ensberg will likely find himself a different organization after clearing waivers. He was hitting .203/.263/.243 in 74 at-bats.

The Yankees will keep Ensberg for $1.75 million even though Shelley Duncan has had a great spring and figures to get most of the start at first base against left-handers. That would leave Ensberg with very little to do as long as everyone is healthy. It'll take an injury to make him worth using in AL-only leagues.

Morgan Ensberg went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI as a Yankees split-squad beat the Tigers 11-7 on Sunday.

Ensberg is batting .360 with five doubles in 25 at-bats. There's no guarantee that the Yankees will carry him -- they may want to go with a true utilityman if they don't think Wilson Betemit will be an asset at short and second -- but he's done enough to justify a spot on some team's Opening Day roster.

Ensberg is one of the top-30 third basemen in baseball, but no one wanted him as a regular there. He may face an uphill battle just to make the Yankees as a reserve. He has a career 937 OPS against southpaws, so he'd be useful as a part-timer at first base. Still, Shelley Duncan is also qualified to start there against lefties. There shouldn't be room for both.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Yankees have agreed to terms with infielder Morgan Ensberg on a one-year contract.

Ensberg has played primarily third base during his career, but with Alex Rodriguez not going anywhere he'll get a chance to compete with Jason Giambi, Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit for playing time at first base. Ensberg struggled last season and was non-tendered by the Padres, but has significant power and would make a nice platoon starter against left-handed pitching.

The two pitchers, neither of whom were eligible for arbitration, could be offered minor league deals. We still like Ensberg as a possible regular third baseman, though it seems few major league teams feel the same way. Perhaps the Twins will bring him in to compete for their opening. Lane figures to end up as a fourth or fifth outfielder somewhere.

The Padres will non-tender Morgan Ensberg, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

Ensberg struggled in 2007, but showed good pop in limited playing time after joining the Padres at midseason and is a career .265/.366/.476 hitter. Ensberg had a 945 OPS in 2005 and a 849 OPS in 2006, and once non-tendered he could be targeted by teams like the Twins that need short-term third base help.

Started at third base in place of Kevin Kouzmanoff, newly acquired Morgan Ensberg homered twice Thursday.

Ensberg had a pair of two-run blasts as the Padres exploded for 11 runs in new hitting coach Wally Joyner's first game at the helm. It was Ensberg's first start with the Padres and it remains to be seen how much playing time he'll get, but this'll certainly help.

Padres acquired third baseman Morgan Ensberg and cash from the Astros for a player to be named or cash considerations.

Ensberg may prove to be an asset, but we're not sure what his role will be. There's not much difference between him and Kevin Kouzmanoff right now, and both are right-handed hitters. Ensberg could pinch-hit and start at first base against particularly tough lefties.

Moore, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery threw all fastballs during the session. He threw his changeup on flat ground on Monday, so it's likely just a matter of time before he incorporates the pitch into his bullpen sessions. The young left-hander is currently on track for a return around June.

McGee is currently working his way back from arthroscopic surgery in December to remove a loose body from his elbow. He's slowly progressing with his throwing program and the Rays expect him to begin the season on the disabled list, but he could be ready by late April or early May if all goes well.